England deny agreeing to play extra ODI in India

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has denied reports that they have agreed to play an extra one-day international during the second part of their Indian tour next month.

The Indian cricket board secretary, Niranjan Shah, today told AFP: "The ECB has written to me saying they are ready to play the sixth match."

But a spokesman for the ECB responded by insisting that no such undertaking has yet been made, and that discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India are still in progress.

England will fly home for Christmas after the third and final Test against India, which starts tomorrow at Bangalore. They will then return on January 12 for a series of one-day internationals.

At present England are scheduled to play five ODIs, at Kolkata (January 22), Chennai (January 25), Kanpur (January 28), Delhi (January 31) and Mumbai (February 3).

Shah also said that India were aiming to play a five-Test home series against England in 2006. "We have agreed in principle, but I can give a clear picture only after the ongoing Test series between India and England is over," he said.